Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report May 2021

The Alaska Railroad summer passenger season is underway with daily service both North and South Bound from Anchorage. FORTUNATELY the US congress has passed a temporary relief bill allowing non US bottom ships to bypass Canadian ports going to Southeast Alaska ports such as Skagway, connecting to the White Pass and Yukon Railroad.

UNFORTUNATELY due to COVID-19 restrictions the Canadian Government still does not allow sailings from Vancouver, BC to Alaska South Central ports like Whittier and Seward to connect with the Alaska Railroad. This leaves plenty of room for the self directed tourist to enjoy everything the Alaska Railroad has to offer in venues without big crowds. Every morning 557 crews wave to a growing group of travelers passing by the shop.

Anchorage consumes multiple 80 car trains of aggregate delivered from the Matanuska Susitna Valley each day. On June 2, 2021 we saw both the North Bound on its way to the pit and its return later in the afternoon on the way to Anchorage in push/pull mode with 4000 Hp MAC70 locomotives.

What others say:

Photographer Wayne Fredeen brought his friend Gerry Knutson for a 557 tour. Gerry retired after 30 years in Engine Service on the Alaska Railroad. He worked along side many of the old hog heads who ran 557. In follow up Gerry sent us some great photos of 557 in the blocks about to sprint out the door and this note: “Thank you so much for being such kind hosts to Gerry Knutson and I when we visited 557.  We were indeed mesmerized at what you have accomplished and the path you have established...ahead to get 557 back under steam once again. Just love your knowledge of the steam engine world, and desire to share their legacy. To the entire team..you are indeed very talented individuals.” Wayne Fredeen, Eagle River, AK

Naurine Lennox, formerly with John H. Emery Rail Heritage Foundation said, “We look forward to your regular reports. You are one of the best organizations at letting us know how things are going. Thanks again.”

From Robert Alcock comes the great news that another S-160 is about to come into service in the United Kingdom. “We have taken on 3278 from Richard Stones and are currently in the process of returning that locomotive to traffic which should be done by October in readiness for our polar express work.  Nice to hear Covid hasnt’ stopped you guys. We are starting to run trains. All has been well so we start on the 23rd June, inline with the UK coming out of national lockdown.” 

Rev. Joe Alutius was in the last crew to operate S-160 No. 607 at Fort Eustis, Virginia in the fall of 1974. Fort Eustis was the training facility for the many reserve units that made up the Railway Operating Battalions.
The Army Transportation Corp was celebrating the last steam up and called for experienced railroaders to volunteer to crew the locomotive. Joe had worked on the Southern and the B&O summers while going to college, before joining the army where he became the Base Chaplian at Fort Eustis.

No one can tell the story like Joe, but this is what I remember; Joe became the fireman and SP5 Ellis was Conductor. The Engineer was Specialist 4th Class, Frank Dewey. Yes, the very same Frank Dewey, who came to Alaska, worked engine service and retired from the Alaska Railroad! Frank has since passed but is very well remembered.

First challenge, the throttle was stuck closed, and Frank had to remove the Steam Dome cover to get it unstuck. 607 had been setting some time so it took an effort to get everything in working order. Blower air for start up came from a hose connection to an SW diesel parked next to her. Before long she was making steam.

When steamed up the engine moved over to the coach barn where Frank gave her a final walk around. The photo line was already formed in anticipation when 607 approached with a full head of steam. The entire crew was looking back just as we are now, on the legacy of the 2,120 S-160 locomotives built for the U.S. Army Transportation Corp.

Joe Alutius visited Engine 557 one last time on May 5, 2021 with his son Dave. He is moving to Pennsylvania to be nearer to family. Joe donated slides, timetables, ticket stubs and RR advertising going back to 1905. We are thankful for these gifts as Joe is part of the living legacy of these locomotives.

557 Volunteer machinist are rarely all together at the engine house. We caught Terry Douglas, Jerry Cunnington and Laverne Buller when the latter arrived to deliver some suspension pins he completed in his home shop. Doug VanWingerden is not pictured but is still turning out work at his home shop for us.

Dry fitting the driving boxes then lead to dry fitting all the spring rigging while we checked to make sure all the new case hardened bushing were in place and were mated with the new 4142 pins. The front spring hangers and equalizers all fell in place. The rear springs and hangers came together nicely with all the rebuilt gibbs and keys.

Brake beam hangers will be ready to install once the drivers are back under 557. They are getting the full treatment, sand blast to white metal then painting with Cloverdale primer and polyester top coat.

The third Pyle 240 Dynamo steam turbine generator is being tested by Jerry Peters. Applying 24 volts DC to the output lugs on the generator turns it into a motor for a short test to check for any vibration and get lubricants distributed.

The upgrade to 26L brake hardware is being done by Paul Dalleska with help from all the volunteers as needed. This is a major undertaking and will cost in excess of $20,000 which was not an anticipated budget item when we started. Special dirt filters and dryers are being installed to accommodate the use of our Westinghouse compound air compressor. Upgraded components will now be serviceable in the Alaska Railroad Air Shop. All new fittings and tubing are stainless.

An anonymous donor dropped off a large collection of railroad books and Lynn Willis was good enough to create a book inventory for 557. Condition on most is good and better, so if you are a book collector take a look and make a bid on the whole lot before June 20, 2020. If the lot does not sell we will then take the first reasonable offer on a volume by volume basis. If you need a book, 557 needs your business. Contact Pat Durand at 907 350 4340 or sewtrain557@gmail.com to make an offer and arrange payment and mailing.

James Blasingame retired as the ARR Vice President of Community Affairs several years ago. He has been a tireless supporter of 557. Cheryl Bowers sent 557 a $250.00 donation in his name. In her words, “Through out the years I have watched Jim dedicate philanthropically in so many ways. It is my honor to have and be his friend. He truly makes a difference in all that he does. Our state is so fortunate to have him.” Here here!

Patrick J. Durand
President 557

 

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